Land-dredge.



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PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903.

W. W. JONES. LAND DREDGE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1903. N0 MODEL.

THE wars Psvzns No. 735,522. PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903.

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LAND BRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED JAH'. 24, moa.

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No. 735,522. PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903. W. W. JONES.

LAND DREDGE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1903.

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No. 735,522. l PATBNTED AUG. 4, 1903.

W. W. JONES.

LAND DREDGE.

v APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 24. 190s. No MODEL. B 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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No. 735,522. O

UNITED STATES Patented August 4, 1903. P TENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM W. JONES, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

LAND-D REDGE.

PECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 735,522, dated August 4, 1903.

Application tiled January 24, 1903. Serial No. 140,358. (No model.)

county of Lucas, State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Land-Dredges; and l declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which forma part of this specification.

My invention relates to self-propelling land-dredges; and its object is to secure a combination of the dilferent parts herein described for the purposeof enabling a dredge, steam shovel or excavator to travel rapidly over the ground, to move up quickly to its work, hold its position with security, to excavate rapidly, and to be turned around expeditiously.

With these objects in View my invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of the entire machine, showing the main frame and sliding shoe underneath as in operation. the digging machinery are simply indicated or outlined, as they are not new and non-essential to a complete understanding of this machine. Fig.`2 isa plan of the digging machinery located upon the deck of the dredge, its object being to show the motive power, consisting of boiler, main engine, main drumshaft and gear used for actuating the Working parts hereinafter particularly described. Fig. 3 is a plan of the working parts under the deck of the dredge, showing the crosstimbers and arrangement of the lifting machinery which raisesY the dredge,'also the plan of the propelling machinery which moves the dredge forward. Fig. 4 isa front end elevation showing the main-frame, both stationary and sliding shoes, hollow axles, and traveling wheels. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line A A of Fig. 3,' showing the framework of both stationary and sliding shoes, also the propelling-shaft with the don- Certain portions ofl ble sliding box connecting the propellingshaft to the hollow axle underneath, also the propelling pinion and rack, also a pair of traveling wheels upon which the dredge is carried forward in moving up, also the grooved collars which carry the suspensionbars of the sliding shoes, also the liftingscrew between the traveling wheels with the worm-gearing attached to cross-timbers of main frame.' Fig. 6 is a cross-section detail on the line B B of Fig. 5, showing the propelling pinion and rack fixed upon the sliding shoe, also the traveling wheels and lifting-screw rising between the cross-timbers with the fixed bearings and worm-nut attached thereto. Fig. r[is across-section'view of turn-tableon the line C C of Fig. 3, showing the construction thereof, also the liftingscrew, sprocket-wheels, and bearing attached to timbers of main frame, also an elevation of the main hoisting-drum shaft and gearing for turning-the dredge, also the guides for holding theturn-table in place, also the vertical shaft and hand-wheel for actuating the lifting-screws. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the double sliding box in which the shaft 14 and axle 18 are journaled. Fig. la is a detail of the primary driving-sprocket.

Referring to` Fig. l, l represents the earthr upon which the dredge rests, and in Fig. 4, 2 represents the excavation, and it Will be noted in said figure that thedredge is supported upon either bank of the excavation or canal. v

3 is the main frame of the dredge, and this is made of suitable end supports 4 4, with a deck 5, which extends the entire length and width of the machine, as seen in Fig. 2, and is strongly braced in any suitable manner, making it a rigid structure. This deck supports the digging machinery indicatedboiler engine 7, hoisting mechanism 8, swinging mechanism 9, and dredging mechanism l0. About this portion of the mechanism, however, thus erected upon the structure there is nothing essentially new. This main fratne is supported by two stationary shoes 1l 11, extending longitudinally one on each side of the machine. As the shoes and mechanism upon each side are exactly the ron same except so far as they are reversed in being rights and lefts, it is not necessary to particularly describe but one side.

The stationary shoes 11 11 have a solid bottom of thick heavy plank, also thick plank on top, extending the full length of the main frame and securely fastened to the underside of cross-timbers 2O 20. These top and bottom planks are connected by a rigid framework of upright stanchions and cross-braced in a substantial manner. These stationary shoes 11 1l rest upon the ground and form a foundation of the machine when in operation.

A rack 12 is attached to the upper side of frame 16 above the axle of wheels 17 17, and

a pinion 13 engages in this rack. This pinion is fixed on a shaft 14. (See Fig. 5.) This shaft is journaled in bearings 40 in the longitudinal frame or stationary shoe which depends from the main frame or cross-timbers 20. The object of this mechanical structure is that the whole mechanism may be moved forward or backward in the manner hereinafter described.

The sliding shoes are composed of a metal frame 16, constructed rigidly and solidly and having thick plank 15 on its lower surface arranged to rest on the ground and forming the foundation at times for the machine. These planks also form a track for wheels 17 17, arranged in pairs running loosely upon an axle 18, uniting them and also uniting the pairs of wheels on opposite sides of the machine. From this axle and between the wheels of each pair there projects upward a heavy metal screw 19, which rises in between heavy cross-timbers 20 20, placed below the deck 5 and xed firmly thereto. Between these cross-timbers is a bearing 21 v21, within which there is longitudinally held a rotating nut 23, engagingthe screw. The outer periphery of the nut is cut for a spiral gear, and this gear engages aworm-wheel 25 upon a longitudinal shaft 26,alsojournaled in the main frame and extending across the machine. The rotation of the fixed nut will actuate the screw and change the distance between the deck and the axle carrying the wheels. A cross-shaft 27, journaled ,in the main frame, upon which is arranged a spur-wheel 28, carries upon either end bevel-gears 29 29, and these engage bevelpinions l30 30 upon the longitudinal shafts 26 26, which longitudinal shafts carry the wormgears 25. The rotation of shaft 27 rotates the shaft 26, the worm-gear, and the fixed nut, thereby ultimately effecting the raising or lowering of the wheels 17 17. The sliding shoes are moved forward by means of mechanism consisting of a sprocket-chain 31, leading from a sprocket-wheel 41 and clutch 42 on main drum-shaft 32 to a sprocket-wheel 33 underneath on counter-shaft 34. Upon this counter-shaft are two sprocket-wheels 35 35, which carry the two sprocket-chains 36 36, leading horizontally to sprocket-wheels 37 37, which are fixed upon propelling-shaft 14. On the ends of this shaft are fixed the pinions 13, hereinbefore referred to as engaging the rack 12. (See Fig. 1 and Fig. 3.) The engine in this dredge being reversible, therefore all this mechanism may be driven in either direction.

The rack 12 is flanged and forms a part of the frame 16. The wheels 17 17 are loosely journaled upon a hollow axle 18 and have upon their sides grooved collars 38 38, which engage suspension-bars 39 39, whereby the wheels are kept in place and whereby the frame 16 and sliding shoe 15, inclosing them,

is raised and lowered with the wheels by the rotation of the screw 19, hereinbefore described, keeping the plank-track 15 substantially in contact with the wheels.

The stationary shoes 11 11 are firmly at tached to the main framework of the machine, and within them the shaft 14, carrying the pinions 13 13, is journaled; but as the pinions must rise and fall with the racks the journals have the perpendicular sliding bearing 40, heretofore referred to, and as the stationary shoes 11 1l are fixed the hollow axles 18, carrying the wheels 17 17, have also perpendicular sliding bearings therein.

When it is desired to turn the dredge horizontally in any direction or to turn it entirely around-that is, so that after it has finished its work in one direction it may be turned so as to proceed in another directionthis action is accomplished by means of a turn-table 50, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 3. This turntable is capable of supporting the entire weight of the machine and is placed under the dredge between the inner pair or stationary shoes practically at the point of balance from either end. It is attached to the main frame 3 by the screws 51 51 52 52, by means of which it is raised or lowered. This turntable may be of any familiar form of construction of the roller or ball-bearing type, but I prefer the following as being best adapted to the peculiar construction of this dredge: In

Fig. 7, 55 isacircular platform made of heavy.

plank, upon which is placed and securely fastened a circular track 56, made of steel deckbeams and braced with cross-beams 57. Upon this lower track are flanged wheels 58, of such number as may be suitable, which are held in place by circular bands 59 60. These wheels roll loosely upon the lower track 56. Upon these wheels is placed another track 61, being made of steel deck-beamsinverted and braced with cross-beams 62. v Upon the platform 55 a center post 63 is fixed, around which the upper portion of turn-table may revolve. The center post 63 has heavy fianges at both ends, which confine the upper and lower part of turn-table 50 together, the upper track 6l turning freely underneath the upper fiange 64. Upon the upper side of track 61 are fastened the screws 5l 51 52 52, which project upward in between timbers 2O of the main frame. Between these timbers are bearings IOO IIO

65, within which there are vertically held rotating sprockets 66,with holes in their hubs threaded to engage the screws 5l 52. These sprocket-nuts 66 are actuated in unison-by Sprocket-chain 67, which chain is runv by a sprocket 68, fixed upon a vertical shaft 69, having bearings attached to timbers 2O of the main frame 3. This shaft 69 extends upward through the deckand is operated by a handwheel 70, xed upon its upper end. The object of the screws 51 51 52 52 is to raise or lower the turn-table as may be necessary and to suspend it under the dredge when the same is in operation or traveling, over the ground. They are also used to sustain the dredge upon the turn-table when being turned around after the same has been elevated clear of the ground by screws 19. The tu rn-table is held in position horizontally by the guides 71, which are rigidly fixed upon the outside of track 61, and the guides 72, which are rigidly fastened to the stanchions of stationary shoes 11 11. These Aguides being slotted engage each other and admit of the necessary vertical movement when the turn-table is being raised or lowered.

The dredge is turned by means of a circular rack 73, fastened to the outside of track 56, which rack engages the pinion 74, fitted to the vertical shaft 75, which shaft extends upward through the main frame and deck 5, being heldin place by a bracket 76 and journal-bearing 77fastened to the main frame 3. The upper end of the vertical shaft is fit- 'ted with a feather 75a and runs through the hub of a bevel-gear 78, which gear is fixed in a bearing 80 above and fastened to deck 5. The bevel-gear 78 engages the bevel-pinion 79, fixed to a horizontal shaft 8l, which shaft is held in place by bearings 82 above and fastened to deck 5. shaft 81 is fastened a miter-gear 83, which engages miter-gear 84, fitted to the main drum-shaft 32 and provided with a clutch 85 for disconnecting the motive power when it is not desired to actuate the turn-table part of the dredge.

It will be seen that the object of the feather 75a in the vertical shaft 75 is to permit the shaft to rise or fall with the turn-table, as the pinion 74 must be continually engaged with the rack 73, and the bevel-gears 78 and 79 must be continually engaged, together with the shaft 75, in any position within the scope of the rise or fall of the turn-table, as shown. It will also be seen that the hollow axle 18 is cut off between the stationary shoes 11 11 to make room for the turn-table to be raised up under the dredge.

In the operation of this device the method of traveling is obtained by means of the sliding shoes first being raised and set forward, then lowered upon the ground. The dredge is then raised clear of the ground, the weight resting upon the traveling wheels upon the sliding shoes. The dredge is then moved forward and lowered upon the ground. The

Upon the opposite'end of.`

digging machinery is then set to work excavating the earth the desired width of the ditch in front ofthe machine as far as it will reach, theoperation being repeated alternately. Assuming that the dredge isl in a fixed position after having excavated as far as it can reach, the forward ends of the sliding shoesbeing even with the frontend of the dredge, and it is desired to move the dredge forward any assignable distance within the limits of the machine, the sliding shoes are first elevated by means of gearing 28 and clutch 24,which form a connection between the engine 7 or other motive power and the crossshaft 27, Fig. 3. The worm-gearing 25 on the longitudinal shafts 26 and the worm-nuts 23, fixed in the main frame, are thereby set in motion', turning upon the screws 19, thereby raising the screws,with the wheels 17 17and sliding shoes 15 and frame 16 attached, to the required height to clear the ground. The clutch 24 is then disconnected from spur-gear 28, leaving the sliding shoes suspended by the screws 19. The sliding shoes are then moved forward the required distance by means of sprocketwheels 33, 35 35, and 37 37 and chains 31 36 36, which, with the sprocket-wheel 41 and clutch 42, Fig. 2, form a connection between the engine 7 or other motive power and the propelling-shaft 14, on which are the pinions 13 13, Fig. 5, the rotation of these pinionsengaging the racks 12, which form a part of the frame 16, and suspension bars 39 39 will cause the same to slide upon the grooved collars 38 38, thereby moving the sliding shoes, as above stated. Vhen they have traveled the required distance, the clutch 42 is disconnected, leaving the engine free to act upon the lowering-screws 19'. The clutch 24 is then thrown in, engaging the spur-gear 28. A reversal of the engine will then cause the worm-nuts 23 to turn upon the screws 19, thereby lowering the same, together with the sliding shoes, until they shall rest upon the ground. By continuing 'the same motionY without stopping the dredge is then elevated by means of the gearing 28 and clutch 24, which form a connection between the engine 7 or other motive power and the cross-shaft 27, Fig. 3, the worm-gearing 25 on'the longitudinal shafts 26 and the worm-nuts 23, fixed in the main frame, are thereby set in motion, turning upon the screws 19, which are now stationary, thereby elevating the machine upon the traveling wheels 17 17, which rest upon the sliding shoes 15. The dredge being thus raised a sufficient height for the stationary shoes 11 11 to clear the ground, the clutch 24 is then disconnected from the spur-gear 28, leaving the dredge elevated upon the screws 19 and wheels 17 17.' The clutch 42 is then thrown in, engaging the sprocket 41, and the dredge is moved forward upon the sliding shoes by means of sprocket-wheels 33, 35 35, and 37 37 and chains 31 36 36,which, with the sprocket-wheel41 and clutch 42, Fig. 2, form a connectionbetween the engine 7 or IOL IIO

other motive power and the propelling-shaft 14, on which are the pinions 13 13, Fig. 5. The rotation of these pinions engaging the racks 12, which forma part of the frame 16, will cause the dredge to move forward, beingcarried by the traveling wheels 17 17 upon the sliding shoes 15. When the dredge has traveled the required distance, the clutch 42 is disconnected, leaving the engine free to act upon the lowering-screws 19. The clutch 24 is then thrown in, engaging the spur-gear 28. A reversal of the engine will then cause the worm-nuts 23 to turn upon the screws 19, thereby lowering the dredge until it shall rest upon the ground. The clutch 24 is then disconnected, leaving the engine free to operate the digging machinery.

The above operations are repeated continuously, thereby causing the dredge to travel intermittently any desired extent. It is also obvious that the dredge may be moved forward slowly or at such intervals as to accommodate the cutting away of the head of the canal by the dredging-bucket.

Vhen it becomes necessary to turn the dredge, the same is first elevated by means of a motive power and gearing connecting the screws 19, as hereinbefore described, `until the stationary shoes 11 11 are clear of the ground. The turn-table is then lowered, by means of the screws 51 51 52 52, until the platform 55 rests upon the ground. The sliding shoes 15 15 are then raised by means of the gearing and screws 19, hereinbefore described,until theyare also clear ofthe ground, thus leaving the entire machine suspended upon the turn-table. The clutch 85 is then thrown in, engaging the miter-gears 83 S4, which actuate the bevel-gears 78 79, also the vertical shaft 75 and pinion 74, which form a connection between the engine 7 or other motive power and the pinion 74, engaging the rack 73, which being stationary the dredge is thus turned as far as desired. The clutch 85 is then disconnected, leaving the engine free to act upon the screws 19, as hereinbefore described, by means of which the sliding shoes 15 15 are first lowered upon the ground, when the weight of the dredge is brought upon them, thus relieving the turn-table, after which the screws 51 5l 52 52 are set in motion, thereby raising the turn-table to its place underneath the main frame 3. The dredge is then lowered upon the ground by means of the gearing and screws 19, as hereinbefore described.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and minordetails of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a land-dredge, or analogous structure, having thereunder longitudinal fixed foundation-shoes, longitudinal movable shoes contiguous thereto, and means for raising and causing the movable shoes to travel forward while the dredge is at rest, means for raising the dredge upon said movableshoes, and causing it to travel forward while said movable shoes are at rest, substantially as described.

2. In the herein-described excavator, the combination of a bucket for digging the material, means for hoisting and swinging the bucket and dumping the load on either side of the machine, a frame or platform for supporting the operating machinery, longitudinal foundation -shoes, fixed to the dredge upon which it is adapted to rest, a pair of movable shoes, each located contiguous to said fixed shoes and upon either side of the dredge, traveling wheels adapted to travel upon a track upon the upper side ofsaid movable shoes, said wheels being on axles journaled in bearings sliding vertically in fixed portions of the dredge, means connected with said dredge` for giving motion to said wheels, means for raising and lowering said wheels, in connection with and operating from saidV dredge, whereby said dredge may be elevated upon said wheels, and means forcing said dredge to travel along upon said wheels when in an elevated position, substantially as described.

3. In a dredge of the character herein set forth, in combination with the dredge-platform, having thereunder longitudinal fixed supporting-shoes,longitudinal movableshoes,

travelingwheels upon connecting-axles adapted to run upon said movable shoes, vertical sliding bearings for said axles, a verticallymovable turn-table, provided with a platform, to rest upon the ground, the upper portion of turn-table arranged to turn upon the lower portion, and having fixed guides attached to upper portion of turn-table and the foundation-shoes of the dredge, means for transferring the weight of the dredge from the foundation-shoes to bear upon the turntable, means for raising and lowering the turn-table, and means for rotating the dredgeplatform upon the turn-table, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM W. JONES. Witnesses:

OBRIEN ODONNELL, ELMER E. LEARNED.

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